Portable milking machine



Sept. 5, 1944. B. H. ANDERSON PORTABLE MILKING MACHINE Filed Deo. 15,1959 5 Sneets-Sheet l 1 NV EN TOR. h. ndenson ATTORNEY.

SePt- 5, 1944. B. H. ANDERSON 2,357,373

PORTABLE MILKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 6N J9 Je n-5)6f`58 /Q 4a.@ se 4J "-3 4 4 /4 o 7x, 20 l Z *.8

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INVENTOR,

,Benjam/7 M /V/Menfol? BY ATTORNEY.

sept. 5, 1944.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 UVVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 5, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE MILKINGMACHINE Benjamin H. Anderson, Madison, Wis.

Application December 15, 1939, Serial No. 309,449

(Cl. .3l-73) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to portable milking machines.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a portable milkingmachine which is simple in construction and easy to operate.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for centering thesuction pump cylinders and for readily regulating or adjusting thedegree of vacuum developed by the suction pumps.

Another object of this invention is to provide simple means for guidingthe motion of the suction pump cylinders.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for lubricating thepiston guiding means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a. compact portablemilking machine in which the operating elements are enclosed and yet arereadily available for inspection.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section and with one panel of thehousing removed, of a portable' milking machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view, partly in section and with the front panel ofthe housing removed, of the portable milking machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken on line 3 3 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detailed View of the connection between the connecting rodand the piston guide tube.

Fig. 5' is a detailed view of the supporting means.

vFig. 6 is a cross sectional view, at an enlarged scale, of the turretmember. l Figs. 7, 9, and 11 are bottom views, at an enlarged scale, ofvalve members and associated valve or milk receiving chambers mounted inthe milk container covers.

Figs. 8, l0, and 12 are sectional views of the members illustrated inFigs. 7, 9, and 1l, taken on lines 88, I 0-I0, and I 2-I2, respectively.

driving motor =v `Referring to the drawings, the milking ma- `prisesside' panels 'I and 8, front panel 9, rear panel I0, and cover Il. Theside panels are provided y lWith removable `plates I2 and .I3 which maybe removed easily to provide ready access to the operating elements.

Vacuum cylinders I4 are supported from cover II of housing 6. The upperends of cylinders I4 are closed by caps I5, each of which is providedwith a spigot I6. The cylinders are retained in cover I I by means ofclamp I1 which is drawn tight by means of bolt I8, secured to cover IIby means of nut I9. The cylinders are maintained in centered position bymeans of clamping rings 20. y

Clamping rings 20 are arcuate, having their end portions 2| and 22 bentoutwardly. Bracket 23 is securely mounted on front panel 9 of housing 6.End portions 2| of the clamping rings are secured to bracket 23, as byspot welding. Bearing plates 30 may be secured to the free end portions22 of the clamping rings. Bracket 23 is provided with threaded apertures24 adapted to receivethe threaded ends 2E of studs 25. The lixed endportion-s 2|, the free end portions 22 and bearing plates 30 areprovided with apertures through whlchthe threaded ends 26 of studs 25may project.

The studs 25 are provided with an enlarged section 21 to form a shoulder28 which bears against bearing plate 30. 'Ihe studs project outwardly ofhousing 9 and are provided with knurled heads .29 to permit readyadjustment. Bearing plates 30 may be provided with end portions 3| bentat right angles to provide means for limiting closing` of the clampingrings. Coil springs 32 encompass the threaded portions 26 of the studsbetween end portions 2| and 22 of the clamping rings to constantly urgethe clamping rings into expanded position.

It is obvious that upon drawing up studs 25 in threaded apertures 24 inbrackets 23, the end portions 2| and 22 of clamping rings 20 are broughttoward each other and the clamping rings are tightly drawn aboutcylinders I4. The

and thereby seal the apertures 33. Sealing the apertures 33 increasesthe degree of vacuum developed by the vacuum pumps. Loosening of studs25 slightly, although the clamping rings remain effective in centeringthe cylinders, breaks the seal overlying apertures 33 and therebydecreases the degree of vacuum developed by the vacuum pumps. Thedecrease in the degree of vacuum developed is directly dependent uponthe degree of opening of the apertures, which is in turn directlydependent upon the degree to which the clamping rings are opened.

Brackets 34 are mounted on the housing of gear reduction unit 4, or maybe integral with the housing, as illustrated in the drawings. Oilreservoirs or cups 35 are positioned on brackets 34, both the oil cupsand brackets being provided with apertures. A guide rod 36 is positionedon each of the brackets, the lower ends of the guide rods being threadedand passing through the apertures in the oil cups and the brackets. Theguide rods are secured to brackets 34 by means of nuts 36a. The guiderods extend upwardly, projecting through apertures in cover 'I'he upperends of the guide rods may be secured to cover by means of nuts 31. Theguide rods are positioned directly behind cylinders I4.

A tubular member 38 is positioned slidably on each of the guide rods 36.A bracket 39, having a forwardly projecting arm 4|, is securely fastenedto tubular member 38, being spaced from the lower end of the tubularmember an amount suflicient to allow the lower end of the tubular memberto extend well into oil cup 35 when the tubular member is in itslowermost position. The lowermost end of piston rod 40 is secured to theforwardly projecting arm 4| of the bracket 39. Piston 42 is secured tothe uppermost end of piston rod 40.

A collar 43 is securely fastened to the uppermost end of tubular member38. A bearing pin 44 is integral with collar 43, or may be secured tothe collar. 'Iubular member 38 is provided with an aperture 45, collar43 and 'pin 44 are provided with a drill hole 46, and pin 44 is providedwith a diametrical` aperture 46a, for purposes to be describedhereinafter. Tubular member 38 is reciprocated along guide rod 36 byconnecting rod 41 which is pivotally connected to pin 44. The connectingrod 41 is in turn driven by gear reduction unit 4 through crank 48. Thegear reduction unit is driven by a motor 49 through pulley 50 and belt5|.

Motor 49 is secured to platform 52 exteriorly of housing 6. In order toprovide simple'means for adjusting the tension in belt platform 52 ispreferably mounted pivotally on the rear panel I0. Flanges 53 may beprovided on the panel IU and platform 52 is pivotally secured to theflanges 53 by means of bolts 54. A pair of cooperating plates 55 and 56,each having a slot 51 and 58 serve as means for maintaining the platformin any desired position. Plates 55 and 56 may be of sheet metal and aresecured to platform 52 and Vpanel I0, respectively. The plates aremaintained in any desired position by 'friction between the plates.'I'he plates are tightly clamped together by means of bolts 59 whichpass through the slots 51 and 58 and ring nuts 60.

A milk container 6| is supported on a plat` form 62 which, is secured tothe front panel 9. The open end of milk container 6| is provided with acover 63. A valve member 64,'the construction of which will be describedhereinafter,

is positioned in an aperture in cover 63. The valve member is retainedin the aperture in cover 63 by means of yoke 66, which is retained onthe cover by a bolt and a cooperating ring nut 66.

A rod 61 is rigidly secured to front panel 9 in spaced relation thereto.A cover holding arm 68 is slidably mounted on rod 61. 'I'he bore of theaperture in the arm 68 is of such diameter as to permit the arm to beraised or lowered easily when held at substantially right angles to theaxis of the rod, but is suiiiciently small in diameter to prevent thefree movement of the arm along the rod. Since the center of gravity ofthe arm is at some distance from rod 61, the downward pull of gravity isadequate to create sufficient frictional force between the rod and theedges and surfaces of the aperture to hold the rod in any position towhich the arm may be raised or lowered.

The free end of arm 68 is preferably hookshaped and is provided with arubber snubber 69. Ring nut 66 is placed on the hook-shaped end of arm68 whereby the associated container cover 63 and valve member 64 may besupported while placing a milk container 6| on platform 62. The pull ofgravity of the arm 68, cover 63,

valve member 64 and associated elements creates.

sufficient friction between the rod and the edges and surfaces of theaperture in arm 68 to retain the arm in any position to which it ismoved. 4

The arm may be held in a right angle position with respect to rod 61 andmay be lowered until cover 63 is positioned on milk container 6|. Thearm is then lowered until the snubber rests on the lower inside surfaceof ring nut 66. The arm may be pressed into contact with the innersurface of the ring nut. The snubber 69 exerts adequate pressureupwardly to create suicient friction between rod 61 and arm 68 tomaintain the cover in position until it is desired to remove the milkcontainer. If it is desired to remove cover 63, the ann may be placed ina right angle position with respect to rod 61 by 'exerting a downwardpressure on the arm to into contact with the lower inside surface of thering nut. Nor is it necessary to support the cover from the arm. Thecover may be handled as desired and the snubber may be placed in directcontact with the upper surface of the cover, if desired.

'Ihe cooperating substantially vertical rod 61 and arm 68 form anexceedingly simple yet reliable and very effective means for supportingcover 63 and the associated elements and for preventing accidentaldisplacement of the cover during operation and use of the milkingmachine.

A turret 10 is mounted on support 1| which is secured rigidly to coveras by welding or other suitable means. The turret comprises a pair ofdisc holders 12 and 13 mounted rotatably on support 1|. The disc holdersare identical in construction, see Fig. 6, each comprising a cup-likebody 14 having its wall flared outwardly slightly at the open end of thebody, to 'provide a bearing surface 15. A centrally positioned journal18 is provided to receive bolt 11 which passes through the journals ofeach o f the bodies and through support 1I. A nut 18 is threaded on thelower end of bolt 11 to secure the disc holders to support 1| Bearings19 and 8| are positioned to one side of the journals and are providedwith openings 80 and 82, respectively. Disc holders 12 and 13 areassembled with their orpen ends toward each other and with surfaces 15in contact. Supporting arms 83 and 84 are mounted slidably in openings80 and`82, respectively.

Bolt 11 is drawn up or tightened suiliciently so that the supportingarms 83 and 84 can Ibe moved with a slight force. The weight of thesupporting arms creates sufficient friction between the bearing surfaces15 of thedisc holders to maintain the arms in any desired position intowhich they may be moved.

A traxp 85 may be interposed between the vacuum pumps and valve members64. The trap provides simple means by which the dairyman may quicklydetect a failure in the apparatus such as will cause a flow of milk intothe vacuum pumps. Trap 85 is mounted on front panel 9. The trap maycomprise a transparent cup 86 and a head 81. The head is provided withtwo conduits 88, one of which appears in Fig.- 1,

or other washer members 9| may be positioned between the top of the cup86 and head 81 and between the lower end of the cup yand nut 90. It isto be understood that the milking machine may be operated with equaleffectiveness without the trap. It is also to be understood that a trapis provided for each of the vacuum pumps.

Spigot |6 of each of the vacuum pumps is connected with one of-theconduits 88 in the head 81 of its associated trap by flexibletubing 92.The remaining conduit 88 of the head 81 is connected with its associatedvalve member 64 by means of flexible tubing 93. Valve members 64communicate with the milk claws 94 by means of flexible tubing 95. Themilk claw 94 in turn communicates with a plurality of teat cups 91 bymeans of short lengths of flexible tubing 96. Flexible tubing 95 and themilk claw 94 with its cluster of teat cups may be supported by hook 98which is secured to theend of sufpporting arm 83.

It is to be understood that a similar milk claw and associated elementsare provided for each vacuum pump and valve member.

In Figs'. 7 to 12, inclusive, I have illustrated, in detail, theconstruction of several embodiments of the valve members. The valve andvalve chamber structure is disclosed and claimed in Patent No.2,287,506, issued June 23, 1942.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 8, the valve member 64 comprises a valveretaining ring |00, a valve plate and a valve chamber |02. The valveretaining ring comprises a tubular sleeve' |03 having a reduced portion|04 forming an external shoulder and an internal ledge |06. The reducedportion |04 is adapted to be positioned within opening |01 in can cover63, shoulder |05 being disposed on rim |08 which defines opening |01.Aspider |09 is provided with cut-out portions I|0 and with a centrallylocated aperture The spider is preferably formed by a stampi118operation and its central portion is raised as at H2. A valve plate |0|is disposed on the spider- |09, the aperture receiving guide pin H3. Theguide pin and aperture cooperate to maintain valve plate |0| in centeredposition at all times. In forming raised portion ||2 and aperture Iprefer to draw the metal to provide a bearing surface for pin ||3 whichis longer than the normal thickness of the spider.

The valve chamber |02 is preferably cylindrical and is provided with anenlarged base p0rtion ||5 which forms an external shoulder ||6. Theenlarged base portion ||-5 fits loosely within sleeve |03, beingpositioned on spider |09. The valve retaining ring and the valve chamberare maintained in opening |01 by means of yoke 65, the extremities ofthe yoke bearing upon shoulder ||6 of the valve chamber. In theassembled position of the valve retaining ring and valve chamber, thespider |09 is held securely between internal ledge |06 and the lower endof the valve chamber. The lower end of the inner wall of the valvechamber is ground to form a valve seat H1.

Air spigot ||8 communicates with the interior of the valve chamber andwith a source of vacuum, such as vacuum cylinder I4, illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2. Milk spigot ||9 communicates with the valvetchamber andwith the teat cups 91 through flexible tubing.

In operation, on application of vacuum to air spigot ||8 or on thesuction stroke of the pump, the clearance between valve plate |0| andvalve seat ||1 is sufficiently small to permit the valve to be closed byatmospheric pressure on the underside of the valve plate. On closing ofthe valve, milk is drawn through the teat cups, associated milk claw,associated tubing, and milk spigot ||9, and flows into valve chamber|02. On the return stroke of the pump or the breaking ofthe vacuum,valve plate |0| falls to the spider |09 and the milk in valve chamber|02 kflows through cut-outs ||0 in the spider into the 'from theretaining ring and the retaining ring may be lifted from the opening |01in cover 63. The valve plate and spider may be removed from the valveretaining ring. The complete and simple disassembling of the elements ofthe valve matter permits each element to be properly and thoroughlycleaned.

The valve retaining ring illustrated in Figs. 9 and I0 comprises atubular sleeve |20 having an outwardly projecting flange |2|. The sleeveis adapted to be positioned in opening |01 in cover 63, the outwardlyprojecting flange |2| being disposed on the upwardly extending rim |08which defines opening |01. Sleeve |20 is provided with an internal ledge|22 and a cross bar |23. 'I'he cross bar is preferably formed with araised central section |24 having an aperture located centrallygwithrespect to the sleeve. Valve plate |0| having a centrally positioneddepending guide pin ||3 is positioned on the'cross bar |23, aperture |25receiving guide pin H3. The guide pin and aperture cooperate to maintainvalve plate |0| in centered position at all times. The enlarged baseportion ||5 of valve chamber |02 ts loosely within sleeve |20 and ispositioned on ledge |22. The valve retaining ring and valve chamber aremaintained in assembled relation and the assembly is maintained inopening |01 in cover 63 by means of yoke 65, the extremities of the yokebearing upon shoulder I I6 of the valve chamber. i

Air spigot ||8 communicates with the interior of valve chamber |02 andwith a vacuum pump. Milk spigot ||9 connects with the interior of thevalve chamber and with the teat cups. The operation of the valve,removal, and disassembling of the elements are similar to that describedin connection with the elements of Figs. 7 and 8.

'I'he valve retaining ring illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 may be formedby a stamping operation. Sleeve |26 is drawn from sheet metal and isprovided with an outwardly ared rim |21. The sleeve is ladapted to bepositioned in opening |01 in cover 63, the outwardly ared rim` |21 beingdisposed on upwardly projecting rim |08 which defines opening |01. Thesleeve is formed with an integral cross member |28. The central portion`of the cross member is preferably raised asat |29. The raised centralportion of the cross member is provided with an aperture |30 which iscentered with respect to the sleeve. Valve plate having a centrallypositioned depending guide pin ||3 is positioned on cross member |28,the aperture |30 receiving guide pin |I3 whereby the valve is maintainedin centered position at all times. In forming the aperture A|3|| and theraised central operation of cross member |28, the metal is preferablydrawn to provide a bearing surface for pin |3 which is longer than thenormal thickness of the cross member- Valve chamber |3| is provided withan outwardly projecting flange |32 adjacent its base. The base portionof the valve chamber is adapted to be positioned within sleeve |26, thelower surface of flange 32 contacting the outwardly ared rim |21 ofsleeve |26. The lower end of the inner wall of valve chamber I 3| isground to form a valve seat |33. The valve retaining ring and the valvechamber are maintained in assembled relation and the valve retainingring is maintained in opening |01 by means of yoke 65. The extremitiesof the yoke bear upon the upper surface of flange |32 of the valvechamber.

' The air spigot |34 communicates with the interior of the Vvalvechamber and with a vacuum pump. Milk spigot |35 communicates with theintenor of the valve chamber and with the teat cups. The operation ofthe valve, removal, and disassembling of the elements are similar tothat discussed in connection with the structure illustrated in Figs. '7and 8.

It is apparent that a valve chamber and valve member are provided foreach of the vacuum pumps. For a single milk container, the cover for thecontainer is provided with two valve members, each Valve Amember beingconnected V, :to its respective vacuum pump. If desired, a

trap may be provided between each of the valve members and Vacuum pumps.

In the operation of the milking machine, studs 25 are adjusted toproduce the desired degree of vacuum developed by the vacuum pumps. Oilcups 35 are filled with lubricating oil, and if desired, a small amountof lubricating oil may be placed in wells of base I. As cranks 48 arerotated, connecting rods 41 reciprocate the tubular members 38 on guiderods 36. The connection Vbetween cranks 48 and connecting rods 41 willbe lubricated since the connecting pins will dip into the oil wells 5 ateach revolution of the cranks.

As tubular members 38 reach their lowermost positions on guide rods 36,the lower ends of the tubular members dip into the oil in oil cup 35.The tubular members 38 fit loosely over guide rods 36 to provide a fairamount of clearance between the tubular member and the guide rod.Suflicient oil is retained between the guide rods and the lower end ofthe tubular members by capillary action, and because of the surfacetension of the oil, a film of oil is carried along the guide rods as thetubular members are reciprocated upwardly. The guide rods and tubularmembers are thereby thoroughly lubricated. If the guide rod and tubularmember are thoroughly cleaned, it will be found that after severalrevolutions of the crank and several full strokes of lthe tubularmembers along the guide rods, a film of oil will have been carried alongthe guide rods and along the entire length of the stroke of the tubularmember.

In operation, the oil which is carried along the guide rod also passesthrough aperture 45 in tubular member 38 and drill holes 46 in collar 43and pin 44 and lubricates the connection between pin 44 and the upperend of connecting rod 41. After some operation of the machine, it willbe found that sufficient oil has been carried along the guide rod andhas passed through aperture 45 and drill holes 46 so that a small amountof oil passes downwardly over connecting rod 41 to lubricate theconnection between crank 48 and connecting rod 41.

Although I have illustrated a particular form of milking machine it isapparent that various elements may be embodied in other forms ofmachines and apparatus Without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is merelyillustrative of my invention and that various modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of my invention.

For example, I have illustrated the valve plate ||l| as beingdome-shaped and drawn or formed from sheet metal and the guide pin ||3as being secured to the valve plate by riveting. It is apparent that theguide pin may be secured to the valve plate by screw .means with equaleifectiveness, or the Valve plate may be cast with the guide pin castintegral with the plate. Further modifications will present themselvesto those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1.A In a device of the class described, a vacuum pump, comprising acylinder having a pair of diametrically opposite apertures therein and apiston mounted reciprocably in said cylinder, and adjustable means forcentering said cylinder with respect to said piston and sealing saidapertures.

2. In a device of the class described, a vacuum pump comprising acylinder having a pair of diametrically opposite apertures therein. apiston mounted reciprocably in said cylinder, and an adjustable clampingring encompassing said cylinder and adapted to seal said apertures andto center said cylinder with respect to said piston.

3. In a device of the class described including a substantially verticalpanel and a cover plate,

a vacuum pump comprising a cylinder having.

dinmetrically opposite apertures therein supported from said cover plateand a piston mounted reciprocably in said cylinder, and an adjustableclamping ring secured to said vertical panel and encompassing saidcylinder, said clamping ring being adapted to seal said apertures and tocenter said cylinder with respect to said piston.

4. In a device of the class described-including a substantially verticalpanel and a cover plate, a vacuum pump comprising a substantiallyvertical cylinder supported from said cover plate and having aperturestherein, a piston secured to a piston rod and mounted reciprocably insaid cylinder, adjustable means for centering said cylinder with respectto said piston and sealing said apertures, and means for reciprocatingsaid piston in said cylinder comprising a substantially vertical guiderod, a tubular member mounted slidably on said guide rod, said pistonrod being operatively connected to said guide rod, and means forreciprocating said tubular member on said guide rod. l

5. In a device of the class described including a substantially verticalpanel and a cover plate, a vacuum pump comprising a cylinder having apair of diametrically opposite apertures inthe walls of said cylinder,said cylinder supported from said cover plate and a piston mountedreciprooably in said cylinder, and means for centering said cylinderWith respect to said pist-on pump comprising a substantially verticallypositioned cylinder having at least two opposite apertures therein, a,piston secured to a piston rod and mounted reciprocably in saidcylinder, adjustable means for centering said cylinder with respect tosaid piston and for sealing s'aid aper vtures to adjust the vacuumdeveloped by said pump, a substantially vertical guide rod, aI cupadapted to contain a lubricant positioned at the lowermost end of saidguide rod, a tubular mem- 29 ber mounted slidably on said guide rod andrigidly connected to said piston rod, and means for reciprocating saidtubular member o-n said guide rod, the lower end of said tubular memberextending into said cup in the lowermost position 25 of said tubularmember.

BENJAIVIIN H. ANDERSON.

